Why Albania All Inclusives Aren’t Really Our Thing
One of our most popular search terms on Google is “All Inclusive Holidays to Albania” – or words of that ilk. However, at the risk of offending our potential customers, we really don’t like receiving enquiries like this. Here’s why.
First, there aren’t many All Inclusive hotels in Albania. It’s just not a thing. It’s not really that kind of market (thankfully!). Albania is all about getting to know the culture, the history, the food, the wine and – most importantly – the people. You simply cannot do that at a hotel/resort which is designed to keep you in situ all day, every day. All Inclusives have their place. Albania isn’t one of them.
There are a few, and they’re mainly in the Durrës/Golem area, so if you absolutely can’t do without your AI fix, that’s where you’ll likely end up. That’s the Adriatic part of the coastline, so not the clear blue water you may have seen on socials. Also, need to set expectations here: they’re not the big AI resorts you may be used to in places like Greece, Turkey and the Caribbean.
What You’ll Actually Find There
Think smaller and simpler than the resort experience the phrase usually conjures up. A pool, a buffet, direct beach access, maybe an evening entertainment slot if you’re lucky – that’s about the ceiling. You won’t find the sprawling multi-restaurant complexes, swim-up bars or kids’ clubs that “all inclusive” tends to promise in more established destinations. It’s a perfectly serviceable option if a fixed-cost, zero-planning beach week is genuinely all you’re after. It’s just not what most people picture when they type that search term – and it’s a long way from what Albania is actually good at.
However, think about what you’d miss out on. We’ve said many times, Albania is so much more than just beaches. Instead of holing yourself away on an All Inclusive, why not spend similar money on a private guided tour?
That way, you get an itinerary tailored to exactly what you want. You get to know and meet locals. You learn culture – maybe some language too! You’ll see parts of Albanian history you can’t from inside a hotel compound. You get to experience nature, great local food and fabulous wineries.
Same Budget, Very Different Week
Put a rough number on it and the comparison gets sharper. A week’s all-inclusive in Durrës could run somewhere in the same ballpark as a week of our private guided tours. That said. The difference isn’t the price – it’s what that money actually buys you. Value, many people would call it. One version gets you a sun lounger and a buffet you’ve already forgotten by the time you land home. The other gets you Berat’s castle quarter at golden hour, a winery lunch with someone who’s been making wine there for thirty years, and a proper answer to “so what’s Albania actually like?” when you’re back at work on Monday.
Essentially and authentically Albanian – an experience an All Inclusive simply can’t offer.
We’d be happy to do an All Inclusive quote for you. But we’d much rather do more.
A Couple of Questions We Get Asked
Is there anywhere in Albania with a proper all-inclusive resort? Not in the way you’d find in Greece or Turkey. What exists is concentrated around Durrës and Golem, and it’s modest rather than luxury-resort standard.
What’s the best all-inclusive option in Albania? Honestly, it depends what you’re comparing it to – if you’ve got your heart set on one, we’re happy to point you in the right direction. But talk to us first about what a tailor-made week could look like for similar money. Most people who do, don’t go back to asking about all-inclusive.
Curious what “more” actually looks like? Take a look at our private guided tours.
